ENGLAND fans were in high spirits last night after a thrilling comeback win over the Netherlands.
The Three Lions earned a place alongside Spain in Sunday’s Euro 2024 final.
And after packing into pubs and fan zones, the celebrations spilled out on to the street.
Not even the busses were safe.
Bemused commuters heading to Bellingham in South London were suddenly swarmed by a huge group of fans getting on board.
They were honouring England playmaker Jude Bellingham.
The Real Madrid starlet has enjoyed a stellar tournament but took a back seat last night as Kobbie Mainoo ran the show.
Bellingham did earn plaudits for his incredible gesture towards England’s beaten opponents.
He initially fell to his knees after the final whistle and was congratulated by Anthony Gordon and Trent Alexander-Arnold.
The Real man was then spotted shaking hands and hugging each of his opponents.
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England vs Spain record
England have played Spain 27 times in total - here is a look at every result...
- May 1929, Spain 4-3 England – International Friendly (L)
- December 1931, England 7-1 Spain – International Friendly (W)
- July 1950, Spain 1-0 England – World Cup (L)
- May 1955, Spain 1-1 England – International Friendly (D)
- November 1955, England 4-1 Spain – International Friendly (W)
- May 1960, Spain 3-0 England – International Friendly (L)
- October 1960, England 4-2 Spain – International Friendly (W)
- December 1965, Spain 0-2 England – International Friendly (W)
- May 1967, England 2-0 Spain – International Friendly (W)
- April 1968, England 1-0 Spain – European Championship (W)
- May 1968, Spain 1-2 England – European Championship (W)
- March 1980, Spain 0-2 England – International Friendly (W)
- June 1980, England 2-1 Spain – European Championship (W)
- March 1981, England 1-2 Spain – International Friendly (L)
- July 1982, Spain 0-0 England – World Cup (D)
- February 1987, Spain 2-4 England – International Friendly (W)
- September 1992, Spain 1-0 England – International Friendly (L)
- June 1996, England 0(4)-(2)0 Spain – European Championship (W)
- February 2001, England 3-0 Spain – International Friendly (W)
- November 2004, Spain 1-0 England – International Friendly (L)
- February 2007, England 0-1 Spain – International Friendly (L)
- February 2009, Spain 2-0 England – International Friendly (L)
- November 2011, England 1-0 Spain – International Friendly (W)
- November 2015, Spain 2-0 England – International Friendly (L)
- November 2016, England 2-2 Spain – International Friendly (D)
- September 2018, England 1-2 Spain – Nations League (L)
- October 2018, Spain 2-3 England – Nations League (W)
Overall, England have won 14, drawn three and lost 10 matches against Spain.
He could be seen talking to Daley Blind, Stefan de Vrij, Bart Verbruggen and Virgil van Dijk.
Bellingham ended his walk by consoling Dutch scorer Xavi Simons before running off to join in with the celebrations.
Bellingham was not the only England star who was seen checking on the defeated players.
Manchester United‘s Mainoo was also thoughtful enough to offer help to De Vrij after he collapsed to the floor.
Jordan Pickford, Aaron Ramsdale, Luke Shaw, Alexander-Arnold and Gordon could also be seen shaking hands with the Dutch.
England face Spain at 8pm on Sunday, looking to win a first trophy since 1966 – and a first ever on foreign soil.
You can say it hasn’t been pretty, but England are in the final… and we’re peaking at just the right time, says Jack Wilshere
AFTER what has been a tough tournament of times, what an opportunity Gareth Southgate and his team will have to end in the best possible way, writes Jack Wilshere.
We might like a team that played better football. But it’s a results business.
Germany, Italy, France, Portugal and of course Holland would love to be where we are.
People will say we’re lucky because we’re on this side of the draw.
But we won the group. France didn’t and then ran into Spain.
You can say it wasn’t that pretty, but we’re there.
Gareth and his coaches won’t have been happy with some of the performances.
But I did like the way Gareth and his team have dealt with it.
There was no panic coming out of the camp.
Everyone gave the same message: ‘We know we can better, but we’re here still.’
And on Sunday they will be in Berlin to play Spain.
They will probably have to produce two halves of football as good as the first against Holland to beat them.
We have improved as the tournament has gone on and that is how you win things.
You want to peak in the final.
If Gareth can lead England to that major trophy we’ve all been waiting for, it will be the perfect answer to the critics and a brilliant day for us all.
Read Jack Wilshere’s England vs Holland verdict in full.
Or check out all of SunSport columnist Jack’s Euros 2024 opinions…